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Ventilator Malfunction Fire Kills Three COVID Patients In Russia


A medic attends a patient at a special unit for COVID-19 patients in a Russian hospital. (file photo)
A medic attends a patient at a special unit for COVID-19 patients in a Russian hospital. (file photo)

A fire caused by the malfunction of an artificial-lung ventilation device has killed three COVID-19 patients in a hospital in Russia's western city of Ryazan.

The governor of the Ryazan region, Nikolai Lyubimov, said on June 9 that the device, produced by the Boaray company in China, exploded overnight, sparking a fire in the medical institution.

According to the regional administration, eight people, including two nurses, sustained severe burns in the blaze.

Six of the people treated for burns, including a nurse, are in a very serious condition, the officials said, adding that two more patients are being treated for smoke inhalation.

The Investigative Committee said it has launched a probe into the deadly fire.

Last spring, two fires caused by the malfunctions of Russian-made artificial-lung ventilation devices in hospitals in Moscow and St. Petersburg killed six patients.

With reporting by TASS, Interfax, and RIA Novosti
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